Introduction: Categories of Flannery O'Connor's work -- Historical and philosophical interest in Teilhard de Chardin -- The enduring chill : a transition in literary direction -- Everything that rises must converge : experimentation with Teilhard de Chardin -- The lame shall enter first : does Teilhard offer hopeful interpretation -- Revelation : a focus on communal relations -- Parker's back : a focus on familial relations -- Judgement day : a focus on societal relations